How Instagram SEO Works to Boost Your Visibility: 3 Key Factors

Instagram SEO is like a puzzle, blending art and science. There is no “one size fits all” approach or guaranteed formula to instantly top the search results. Using search engine optimization to boost your Instagram posts is only a part of the work as the algorithm analyzes every post on the app. It gathers data to figure out your topics and people who might like them.

Instagram revealed that it uses the text you input into the search button and the information from your account, places, and hashtags as signals to rank your search results.

However, it uses three key Instagram SEO ranking factors to guide the search bots in delivering relevant content for an Instagram search.

3 Important SEO Signals to Rank Search Results on Instagram

Search helps you to find topics and Instagram accounts of interest. Unlike Explore, Reels, Stories and Feed, your search input helps the algorithm to share content that is relevant to you. Examples are industry-based content, hobbies, and your favourite creator. So if you are looking for Nigerian foods to learn about and you use the search bar on the Explore page, you will first see your recent searches.

When you start typing ‘Nigerian foods’ Instagram will show you hashtags (#nigerianfoods), show you accounts (@nigerianfoods), descriptions, places, and audio, matching your search text.

Therefore, you have to use the right keywords to enable the Instagram algorithm to match your account to your target audience.

To break this further, here are the important SEO signals to rank search results on Instagram.

Your Search Text:

What you type into the search bar on Instagram matters a lot for search results. Instagram matches the text you type with relevant keywords, usernames, accounts, bios, hashtags, content, and places.

Your Activity and Preference:

Instagram analyzes the posts you have been interested in. Your likes, dislikes, and past activity shape Instagram’s algorithm and its SEO. If you often engage with a certain post type or follow specific accounts and hashtags, Instagram will prioritize or rank similar content in your search results.

Search Results Information:

When you search on Instagram, the results can seem like a popularity contest. Popular content gets shared more, so Instagram promotes it heavily. The higher the volume of relevant results for a search term, the more competition you will get. Factors like clicks, likes, shares, and follows on an account or post also affect where it ranks in search results.

To improve your Instagram SEO, focus on helping the algorithm understand your content better. So, when someone searches, Instagram will include your post in the results.

This process is similar to how Google SEO works — popular and trusted content rises to the top with clicks, likes, shares, and follows, influencing rankings.

How Do You Find Keywords for Instagram?

To discover trending keywords on Instagram, first search for a specific topic. The top results will show you popular keywords related to that topic, giving you an idea of what content resonates most.

However, this method only provides superficial results. Therefore, use specialized Instagram keyword research tools for the latest and most relevant keywords. These tools, some of which are free while others require payment, offer deeper insights that Instagram alone cannot provide.

Wrapping Up

As a content creator and Influencer finding visibility, study and learn how Instagram SEO works. Furthermore, using the right keywords will increase your reach and connect you with your target audience.

Now you know how SEO on Instagram works, see our article to learn the proven Instagram SEO tactics to reach more people and grow your account.